Life, 1895-05-30 · page 10 of 22
Life — May 30, 1895 — page 10: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
# Analysis of Life Magazine Page 356 This page contains literary excerpts and humorous domestic sketches rather than political cartoons. **"Better Still"** is a poem (attributed to Tom Marson) expressing nostalgia for home and reluctance to sacrifice domestic comfort for duty. The dialogue scenes depict **Victorian-era domestic humor**: - A father stops his son from pulling a cat's tail - An office boy apologizes for being late - A tramp requests a drink - A widow proposes marriage to a man, joking he'd "take him in" if he had a million The final sketch, "Developing a Negative," shows a social interaction with the caption implying misunderstanding or comedic reversal. These reflect **period attitudes about class, courtship, and family discipline** rather than political satire—typical of Life's genteel humor during this era (likely early 1900s).
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
356 BETTER STILL. V ITHIN her home soft tints abound In blessed harmony, Luxurious chairs are scattered round, And books one loves to see. Pictures and rugs that never tire ; An air that’s pure, refined, All that the heart may well desire Within her home I find. And so I ponder hour by hour The problem, Which is right ? How can I pluck this sunlit flower And take it from the light ? I think of my own humble cot, Sweet girl! She does not know How much she'll miss the dear old spot When she has left it. No! This sacrifice she shall not make ! Although she may prefer In innocence this step to take, I'd rather live with her Tom Masson. NOT HAPPILY EXPRESSED. || EW OFFICE BOY: A man called here to thrash you a few minutes ago. Epiror: What did you say to him? “TI told him I was sorry you weren't in.” Fate Tommy, stop pulling that cat's tail. Tommy: I'm only holding the tail, the cat's pulling it. YLD: Can't you over- come your thirst for “ Dox'r YOU THINK THAT WAS A MARRIAGE FOR LUCKE, BISHOP?” rum? . “HuMPH. [THOUGHT SO WHEN | PERFORMED THE CEREMONY, BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY 5 . . . OF THE MONEY YET.’ TRAMP: Yes, sir, with adime. WOULD TAKE HIM IN. E: I wonder what I'd do if I had a million ? THE Wipow: I know. “What?” “ Marry me.” H E: I've been watch- ing for achance to kiss you for the last ten minutes. SHE: You must be near-sighted. How sweetly the baby sleeps. Huspanp: Yes. The poor fellow, he doesn’t know I've come home. DEVELOPING A NEGATIVE. icbooks.com